The Gauhati High Court has issued notice to the Assam government over the exclusion of online media from its ''Media Fellowship'' for 2020-21, stating that the selection of candidates shall be subject to further orders.
Justice Suman Shyam was hearing a petition by senior journalist Anirban Roy (Editor-in-Chief, NorthEast Now), aggrieved by the notification dated 18.09.2020 issued by the Government of Assam dropping the category of "Online Media (Web Portal)" from the list of beneficiaries for being conferred with fellowship.
The aforesaid corrigendum of 18.9.2020, issued by the Information and Public Relations Department, reads as: "The Governor of Assam is pleased to keep in abeyance the term "online media" from the Para-2 under the eligibility criteria of the Media Fellowship Guidelines issued vide the OM (dated 31.3.2018) as the "Online Media (Web Portal)" has not yet been brought under the purview of the existing Advertising Policy. In Para-2 of the Eligibility Criteria for the Media Fellowship mentioned in the Guidelines issued vide the said OM, it was stated that "The Fellowship is open to all mainstream Media Journalists of Assam including freelancers from Print, Electronic, Online Media and News Agencies"
Before the Single Judge, the counsel for the petitioner argued that the ground cited in the impugned notification dated 18.09.2020 is "fallacious and therefore, has a vitiating affect on the impugned notification itself".
On the other hand, on behalf of the state, it was submitted that it is a matter of policy decision of the Government and therefore, some time may be granted to obtain instructions. The Addl. Sr. Govt. Advocate, Assam entered appearance and accepted notice for all respondents.
By way of interim relief, the advocate for the petitioner prayed that the last date for submission of application being 27.10.2020, his client may be provisionally permitted to submit application awaiting outcome of the writ petition.
"At this stage, I am not inclined to allow the said prayer. It is, however, made clear that the selection of candidate for conferring fellowship, if any, made in the meantime, shall be subject to further orders that may be passed in this writ petition", observed the Single Bench.
Vide OM dated 18.3.2018, the state government had decided, with Cabinet approval, to award Media Fellowships to a number of selected journalists of Assam every year in the relevant fields of journalism."The objective behind offering Media Fellowships to selected journalists is to provide financial support for their continuous improvement of professional skills and up gradation of knowledge in journalism. The Government views that financial constraint should not be a hindrance while pursuing professional endeavours. This initiative will result in quality improvement in the field of journalism. Professional improvement and skill development will not only help the individual journalists, but also play a constructive role in the development of the society as well as the nation. With improved professional skills and upgraded knowledge in the field of journalism, journalists can play a better role and act as catalysts for socio-economic and political development. With their positive and constructive criticism and suggestions, they can help the policy makers positively", it was asserted.
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